What Will Your Mover Need to Know?

Anyone who has ever moved from one home to another knows there are countless question marks in the process. Often moving and storage professionals have no idea which possessions are valuable and which aren't, though labeling each in marker can be more trouble than it's worth. That's why today, more experts recommend sticking with some basic organizational approaches if you want to make the moving and storage process truly hassle-free.

One of the simplest ways to protect your belongings and peace of mind simultaneously is to cordon off your house by value. Throw all the artwork and collectibles in one room and you can be sure the moving and storage guys won't mistake them with more pedestrian things such as books, bags and pillows. You may also want to go over any specific treatment protocols that come with your favorite perishable possessions.

Another trick many homeowners swear by is planning how all that stuff will distribute in the new home. Although there is some value in labeling your items by their room of origin, once those boxes are on a moving and storage truck what you really want is a structured moving-in process. For this, you may need to look at a floor plan to insure everything you're bringing will fit exactly as you imagine.

Moving and storage experts also need to know how many items you're shipping, how much each is worth and how long you expect the job to take. Many tend to generate estimates based on weight, though these days it's not unusual for an experienced professional to simply eyeball your home and come up with a number. This is one of many places where the Web can come in handy, so check your local moving and storage listings if you want a second opinion.

Nobody has the time to walk a moving and storage company through their home and describe every possible item, but some basic guidelines can do wonders to protect your favorite things. This process has come a long way in the last few years, and today the surest way to get good help is to keep lines of communication open throughout the process. Start with some powerful research tools and you won't be disappointed with what you find.